Pace Yourself
If you have tasks you must do leading up to a big event or celebration, allow as much time as you can to get things accomplished. This may mean making a list of what needs to get done and starting as soon as you can, taking on a manageable amount each week.
Planning it all out and letting go of any stress is very important to getting these tasks done and avoiding triggering a migraine in the process. If something can wait until another day, one where you are not feeling a migraine coming on, then reschedule your plans.
Address Signs of Migraine as They Appear
I am often guilty of not taking my medication at the first sign of a migraine. I have started to be more diligent and have noticed it does make a huge difference.
In the last month, I have stopped two migraines before they fully developed, simply by taking my medication right when I first noticed the symptoms coming on. I am planning on making this effort all the time now that I have seen solid proof it can work for me.
Ask for Help
I am an epic failure at asking for help or delegating. I finally caved in and accepted help and it amazed me how much of a burden it lifted off my shoulders and how awesome the help was.
So, if someone offers to assist you, say yes. Create a small list of tasks others can do to help you and have it handy to give out, so you are ready with a solid list of things they can do and written explanations or directions for them to follow.
Avoid Migraine Triggers
Picking out flowers, perfume worn by sales people, and bright store lights can set off a migraine for me. Limit your contact with your own migraine triggers and maybe try shopping online for some of the needed items.
Allow Yourself to Rest
Even when things are busy and you find guilt creeping into your mind, remember it is OK to take care of yourself on bad days so you are the best you can be on other days. If you have been very busy and you feel it wearing you down, take a day of rest from planning or other activities.
Be Realistic With Yourself
We all picture the “perfect” celebration, be it a wedding or anniversary, family reunion or birthday bash. But remember, nobody knows what your grand design for the event was.
Whatever you don’t get done will be your secret. This is not the time to pretend migraines are not a factor in your life.
Having plenty of time to plan a big celebration will allow me to pace myself in a way that will hopefully avoid triggering more migraines. But my daughter’s big day is coming, and I hope that in the final days leading up to it I can keep up with all these precautions I have in place to keep migraines at bay.
The best advice I can give to you and myself is to be honest with yourself and others about how much you are capable of doing, and remember what matters most about the gathering or celebration: the people involved.
